You Are Welcome Here

Yesterday a very delicate butterfly landed in my hand.  I was able to gently caress it, observing and enjoying it's beauty.  It felt like a precious gift from God to hold close for a moment of time.

Of course we don't have any butterflies around this time of year.  In fact even though it is April we are now in another "storm watch" with more snow heading our way.  The "butterfly" that I held in my hand is an analogy for our oldest grandson.  He came from college to have Easter dinner with us.  We had four hours one on one with him.  A precious gift.  A brief moment in time together, stored now in our memories.

Our oldest daughter Sarah went to church with us and had dinner with us before heading south to pick up her son.  Of course we enjoyed having her here too, but this "precious gift" is how I feel whenever we spend time with a grandchild.  We do not have the privilege to live around any of our grands, so our visits with most of them are limited to one holiday a year, a visit to their homes, and maybe an event that gathers family to celebrate, like a wedding.  One on one time is rare and spending a few hours with Evan yesterday was much appreciated.  Great fun.

God made us for relationships.  He created us for loving relationships with others and with Him.  He desires for us to welcome Him into our hearts and into our homes, enjoying the gift of His presence.  As we gather together, He gathers with us.  Not only in times of joy, but as we seek him during the difficult seasons and in the mundane.  We hold these moments like a delicate butterfly.  Precious.

We were so excited to have our grandson come.  We fed him his favorite food, made up an "Easter bag" for him to take back to the dorm, and took pictures to honor the event.  A celebration!  We can certainly do no less for our Savior who created us, created family.  We invite Jesus in.  The One who suffered and died, who rose from the dead.  He brought us to His banqueting table......"His banner over us is love".  Let us bring Him to our banqueting table.....let our banner over Him be love.  Come Lord Jesus, come.  You are welcome here.